[Equest94]

What mix is she?

Hi. I'm really sorry to post this (it's a long thread...picture at the bottom - if this should be moved under a different topic, feel free to do so) - I know I shouldn't but this possible issue has been eating away at me for some time now and because it keeps being brought up over and over again, I feel the need to ask for your opinion.

Some of you may know that we adopted Sabina from our local SPCA shelter this past summer. She turned 2 yrso in August and has really transformed (for the better.... she filled out a lot). We were told, and thus her adoption papers and registration say, that she is a shepherd-lab mix; however, many people (and a few on here) are telling me she is not lab but pit bull.

Yes, I heard about some kennels lying about the dog's breeding in order to make them more adoptable, but the one we got her from had may pits and pit-mixes up for adoption...why would they lie about Sabina?

Sabina's previous owner was arrested by the local animal precinct for animal abuse, etc... then wouldn't they have found out her actual breeding?

People believe my dog is part pit due to her small size (she's around 52lbs... yeah, she's not huge but she was severely malnourished which could have stunted her growth) and by the shape of her head when she looks directly at you, but being a mix, it's hard to tell what traits from each breed are being shown.

I have nothing against pit bulls. I have known many and they have all been excellent dogs, but in the town where I live certain breeds are not tolerated due an incident that happen a few years back with a pit-mix. If my dog is part pit, I will have to give her up because the town will tax a HUGE additional rate on house insurance (we're talking an extra grand a month - no exaggeration). It's not fair at all. I love my dog so much. She is wonderful, but I can't just sell my house because I might not be able to afford having my dog....

Honestly, Sabina may look part pit appearance-wise, but her other "traits" seem more lab quality to me...
- her top coat seems somewhat water resistant
- she has webbed toes
- loves to fetch and retrieve... has a very gentle mouth
- she's very hyper-active: loves to run, swim, play

Overall, she looks more German shepherd to me and acts more like one. She's a very "refined" dog... she's not wide or heavy set, she's actually a bit narrow and her snout is longer-ish and her jaw is not very wide either - granted that doesn't really say/prove much.

I know there's a blood test that can be done that can help determine what breeds your mix is made up of...but I haven't heard too many good things about it. Plus my dad is playing it the way that her papers say lab mix and thus he shouldn't pay for any further testing. My parents told me not to worry..."just because somebody looks Italian doesn't mean that they are Italian". I'm worried because although Sabina hasn't done anything wrong/bad..word spread around like wildfire that she is a pit mix because of her looks and thus havoc broke and now we have some problems with a few of the neighborhood people. Again, I really do not want to have to give her up. It's not fair to her or to me.

I'm sorry, I know this sounds extremely stupid...

but I can't help wondering/worrying... do you see any lab in her?...possibly?


^^^ she gets really depressed when I pack to go back to college.

[Equest94]

^^^ really bad SPCA profile picture of her

[ChrissyBz]

Her head looks a little blocky but that could be attributed to lab heritage. I think they would have to prove that she was part pit before causing any trouble. Hearsay is not proof and as long as she's not causing any trouble the burden of proof, I think, should be on the accusers and not the accused.

[Cheetah]

Looks more like a German Shepherd/lab mix to me than a pit bull. Maybe a little Rhodesian Ridgeback (My aunt has a RR, and your dog has her eyes/expression lol).

[siberian mom]

hopefully the town will go with the spca papers there are so many dogs that are "pits" just because they are more solid than the next i know a ckc registers lab that have been acused of being a pitti cross. it such a shame. i hop you dont have to giver her up

[AkiraleShiba]

I understand your worry but don't worry about it

She does not look like an obvious pit mix and the papers say otherwise. In civil cases the burden of proof is on the accuser.

I am sure that it will be ok! She is a gorgeous GSD/Lac mix

[poppiesandboppies]

I'm still in disbelief everytime I hear a story of how prejudiced people can be...
Well here's my 2cents and I didn't think she looked pit bull at all until 4th and 5th picture but then that's only because I was looking for the pit bull in her. In my opinion SPCA sold her to you as a German Shepherd X Lab, you bought it knowing that so you're not liable for anything. If she doesn't show even a bit of aggression then there's no reason for anyone to do anything about the rumours.

[strawbrykiwicake]

To me the first pictures I saw German Shepard and in the seconds I saw Lab. I agree with previous posters

[Renoman]

She definitely looks shepherd/lab to me. Her head does look 'blocky' but there are GSD lines out there that have huge 'block' heads. I've also seen labs with the same characteristic.

As others have said, relax. Hearsay and speculation do not make it so. It would be up to those people to prove she is something other than what her papers say.

Have you discussed this with the shelter you got her from? (If I missed that in your post I apologize).

[RonE]

Statistically, nearly every mixed-breed dog in the country is a lab mix. In the most literal sense, everybody loves labs.

You can't do much about who your dogs parents may have been (but she looks like mostly shepherd to me.) What you CAN do is make sure your dog is a model citizen and never gives anyone reason to complain or worry.

Breed-specific legislation may be stupid and unfair, but it's usually based on some specific (maybe isolated) incident that worked voters and local politicians into a frenzy.

Ironically, it doesn't seem like all that many years ago that people were frequently terrified of German Shepherds.

BTW, she is a GORGEOUS girl.

[poodlenuts]

Nice looking dog I really think your worrying to much.

[Jenergirl143]

So I had read your artical once but just past it by because I had no advice but I for some reason was thinking this morning about one of my family friends who has a dog that looks also like a pit but her papers from the pound says shes a lab mix... If the papers say lab or what ever but dont say pit your in the clear. your home owners insurance cant do anything because the papers clam shes something else... just make sure to hold on to your paper work and you will be fine.. she is very pretty by the way.. i hope this info helps...

[lucysmom]

When I looked at her face I see more of possibly Boxer, but I do not see pit at all. She's a beautiful dog, I wouldn't worry much about it unless an issue actually arises. What a beauty. I'm not sure what insurance company you're insured with, but in working for the largest in the nation, I can tell you we don't discriminate by breed, only if there has been a history of biting or attacks. I'm sure you'll be fine.

[Equest94]

Thank you all so very much for your opinions and help. I know I shouldn't be worried, but I just feel better/more relaxed in reading your posts. She is a gorgeous dog and she's is really turning out to be wonderful... I just get a bit upset when possible problems arise concerning Sabina. She had a very hard life before we got her and I want her second chance to be great... not just be another add on of issues about her.

Again thank you. Hearing you dog experts saying she looks more lab-ish really helped secure my thought.

[digits mama]

She is very pretty. I am glad these good people could help ease your mind. Enjoy your pup

[Olive'smom]

I too adopted a dog that was supposed to be a boxer mix and she has pit bull and perhaps some shepard. She looks similar to your dog but your dog has very strong shepard features. My dog so far she is the sweetest, silliest thing on the planet. I also was upset in the beginning but decided against worrying. Her papers say boxer mix and when I go to get her license that is exacly what I'm registering her as.

[jcd]

please let us know what happens here. we are concerned and curious. i think this sucks. what state are you from? can dog specific leg. happen anywhere in america? seems illegal or something. what a shame to happen in u.s.a.

good luck and keep us posted................jcd

[Olive'smom]

We are from New Jersey and I am one year shy of 60. The last thing I thought was that I would get a dog with pit bull in it much less a puppy. HOWEVER, I have grown to really, really love her. She has never shown any ounce of aggression and she adores my neighbors kids, who play with her and the kids parents are well aware of the breed. When I walk her she greets everybody. She is not too friendly with other dogs but not overly aggresive towards them either. I made my decision not to worry. What you see is what you get. Your dog seems to have a lot less pit in her than mine if she has any at all. If she's been a sweetheart all this time, I don't see how that would change dramatically. I too would lose my home insurance if they knew she was a pit. My vet said that he has three full blood pits which he treats and they're all extremely friendly. He treats a schnauzer which he dreads as well as a labrador from hell. He reassured me that so much has to do with upbringing.

[Equest94]

Again Thank you all. As I have said, I have nothing against Pit bulls. A friend of mine actually breeds Staffordshire pit bull terriers and her dogs are two of the most friendliest and outgoing dogs I have ever come across. They are so affectionate and crawl up on you to give you kisses.

I live in a very small town in NY. As far as I know, NY as a state can't dog-specific legislate unless their was a direct issue [in multiple towns] with an individual dog of a certain breed. Then, the breed can be taken into question but nothing can really be done to other dogs of the same breed who were not involved in the case, unless there is enough proof that shows that the breed in general is aggressive or if enough people of the town feel uncomfortable and thus make a huge speculation about it.

As far as my case goes, the fire kind of died down a bit, which is good. We told people that her adoption papers and her registration all say she is a Shepherd-lab mix. She shows no signs of aggression so they shouldn't make a fuss out of it. If they want the dog to stay friendly and calm they have to calm down themselves. Currently they are hustling against a neighbor down the road who has 2 Dobermans. He has a sign saying "beware of attack dogs" but yet his dogs occasionally leave their yard and venture through the neighborhood... The dogs aren't aggressive in general, but when he is out with them then they start to growl and snap... so I don't know what's going on there... Hey, At least it doesn't involve Sabina - lol.